As torrential rains brought by Typhoons Crising, Dante, Emong, and the southwest monsoon inundated large parts of Luzon, SM Foundation Inc., in partnership with SM Supermalls and SM Markets, swiftly mobilized its Operations Tulong Express (OPTE) to provide immediate relief to thousands of families displaced by the widespread flooding in Central Luzon.
With several provinces placed under a state of calamity, SM Foundation distributed a total of 3,019 Kalinga Packs, each containing food and basic essentials, prioritizing the hardest-hit barangays and vulnerable sectors across Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Olongapo, and Bataan.
In Bulacan, SM City Marilao led large-scale relief operations, reaching 1,500 flood-affected families in the town’s most disaster-prone barangays. With Marilao placed under a state of calamity following extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and farmlands, the mall mobilized support to reach the severely affected barangays and deliver aid. Simultaneous relief efforts were also conducted by SM City Baliwag and SM Center Pulilan, where volunteer teams braved flooded areas to deliver Kalinga Packs to 400 households in barangays Tibag and Poblacion in Baliwag, and Tabon in Pulilan.
Targeting vulnerable sectors such as farmers and marginalized communities, SM malls across Pampanga provided aid for displaced families. SM City Clark delivered relief to 130 farmers in Barangays Dampe and Maligaya in Floridablanca, while an additional 100 kalinga packs reached evacuees in Mabalacat City. SM City Pampanga and its sister malls, SM City Telabastagan, San Fernando Downtown, and SM Savemore Apalit, collectively distributed 410 kalinga packs to affected barangays in Macabebe, Dela Paz Norte, and Apalit.
SM’s Operations Tulong Express continued its relief efforts across Central Luzon, reaching hard-hit communities in Tarlac, Olongapo, and Bataan. In Barangay San Manuel, Tarlac City, SM City Tarlac distributed 104 Kalinga packs to families severely affected by the typhoon. Meanwhile, SM City Olongapo Central and SM City Olongapo Downtown jointly delivered 275 Kalinga packs to residents in Barangays Sta. Rita, Mabayuan, Old Cabalan, and New Ilalim. In the neighboring province of Olongapo, SM City Bataan extended assistance to 100 families in Barangays Sibacan, Tortugas, and Puerto Rivas, with employee-volunteers personally delivering the aid to the affected communities.
To date, the SM Foundation Inc., through its Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) program, has distributed over 18,800 Kalinga Packs to families affected by disasters in key areas across the country. Beyond Central Luzon, the relief efforts have extended to Metro Manila, Rizal, Pangasinan, Cavite, La Union, Laguna, and Cebu City. Carried out in close coordination with employees and volunteers from SM Supermalls and SM Markets, the large-scale relief effort underscores SM Foundation Inc.’s enduring commitment to provide timely and compassionate support to Filipinos in times of crisis.
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PHOTO CAPTIONS
Families lined up to receive their “kalinga packs” distributed by SM City Baliwag. Under the program Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) of the SM Foundation, a total of 200 relief packs were given to several barangays in the town, including Tibag and Poblacion.
An elderly woman gratefully receives a Kalinga pack in SM City Clark.
SM Foundation Inc., through SM City Pampanga, distributed 150 kalinga packs to flooded areas in Macabebe, Pampanga.
SM City San Fernando Downtown keep the bayanihan spirit alive as they mobilize relief efforts and extend immediate relief assistance to affected communities in Barangay Dela Paz
Volunteers from SM Savemore Market Apalit were grouped, deployed, and sent to areas with the highest number of displaced families and recurring floodwaters.
Residents of Brgy. Sta. Rita, Mabayuan, Old Cabalan and New Ilalim, show appreciation and joy for receiving Kalinga packs from SM Foundation Inc.,SM City Olongapo Central and SM City Olongapo Downtown.
SM City Bataan reached out to families living in Barangays Sibacan, Tortugas, and Puerto Rivas in Balanga City.
A resident impacted by the rain and flood was given Kalinga packs by SM City Tarlac.
